The best cheap phones offer a smart way to save money without compromising too heavily on features or quality. Given the sheer number of smartphones available in 2023, though, some affordable models just aren't worth your attention, so we're here to help you distinguish the treasure from the trash. Show
The very best phones (think the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra) may get the well-deserved media attention, but cheaper handsets are often better value for most people. And, while companies typically only have one or two flagships, they often release a larger selection of affordable handsets, which means there are plenty of capable models to choose from. If you do your research, you might even find an affordable device with flagship features, like a 120Hz refresh rate, great cameras, and a modern design sans the flagship price tag. We've tested and reviewed a huge number of smartphones over the years, both iPhones and Androids, so we know exactly which cheap phones offer the best value in 2023, and which ones aren't worth your money. We've rounded up all the best cheap phones for you below, along with the best phone deals available for each model. Happy bargain-hunting! Quick ListSamsung's latest mid-ranger offers strong cameras, even stronger battery life, and a design that looks and feels more premium than its affordable price tag suggests. The iPhone 13 is still available from Apple, and it's the best value iPhone you can buy right now. It comes in great color options, and is powered by the same A15 Bionic chip as the pricier iPhone 14. Google's Pixel 7a has a pretty-looking display, competent cameras, and is extremely comfortable to hold. It's an inexpensive entry point into the Google ecosystem. Significant price drops mean the mid-range OnePlus 10T can now be considered a budget handset. Here, you'll get a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro sensor. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G packs an incredible OLED display that's worthy of a $600+ phone. This is a solid performer for playing games, consuming media, and making calls. The best cheap phones in 2023Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. Below, you'll find full write-ups for each of the best cheap phones in our list. We've tested each model extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted. The best cheap Samsung phone (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) The best cheap Samsung phone SpecificationsWeight: 202g Dimensions: 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm OS: Android 13 Screen size: 6.4-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2340 CPU: Exynos 1380 RAM: 6/8GB Storage: 64GB/128/256GB Battery: 5,000mAh Rear camera: 50MP + 12MP + 5MP Front camera: 32MP Reasons to buy+ Good cameras for the price + Good-looking screen + Looks more expensive than it costs Reasons to avoid- No wireless charging - A little thick and heavy Samsung's Galaxy A54 is a slightly updated version of the 2022 A53 that's made for 2023 needs and sensibilities. It looks a lot like the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus, and you may be tempted to think it's one of those much better phones. Hold it, and you'll quickly be disabused of that notion. It's a little heavier than the more expensive phones, and the bezels are not as thin. Noting that it costs half as much as the S23 line though, you should be happy enough to pocket the rest of that cash. That additional thickness also goes toward hosting its 5,000 mAh battery, which means it'll last all day according to our testing (with 23W fast charging to get it back up and running quickly). The cameras are even fairly decent and perform well in good light. Finally, Samsung's four years of software updates and five of security updates mean you can keep this phone for a while with confidence that it'll be supported almost as well as an iPhone. Read our full Samsung Galaxy A54 review The best cheap iPhone(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) 2. Apple iPhone 13The best cheap iPhone SpecificationsRelease date: September 2021 Weight: 174g Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm OS: iOS 17 Screen size: 6.1 inches Resolution: 1170 x 2532 CPU: Apple A15 Bionic RAM: 4GB Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB Battery: 3,240 mAh Rear camera: 12MP (main) +12MP (ultrawide) Front camera: 12MP Reasons to buy+ Strong battery life + Powerful internals Reasons to avoid- No 120Hz screen - No Ceramic Shield on rear Despite being over two years old, the standard iPhone 13 remains on sale at Apple, with the arrival of the iPhone 15 having brought its price down to an extremely reasonable $599 in 2023 (you'll likely find it cheaper elsewhere, too). The iPhone 13 didn't prove a game-changer for Apple’s series of smartphones, but it remains an important iteration that offers better battery life, a better processor and a better camera setup than its predecessors. If you’re looking for a fast and capable smartphone, and don’t need the extra features of a pricier Pro model, then the iPhone 13 continues to be a top choice. The highlight of the iPhone 13 is its battery life. Previously, iPhones hadn't been synonymous with strong battery life, but during our testing, we were hard-pressed to run the iPhone 13 out of juice. The phone's A15 Bionic chipset, meanwhile, is incredibly powerful, and paired with 4GB of RAM, it’s capable of running multiple apps and tasks quickly and efficiently. Read our full iPhone 13 review The best cheap Pixel Phone(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne) The best cheap Pixel phone SpecificationsWeight: 193g Dimensions: 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm OS: Android 13 Screen size: 6.1-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400 CPU: Google Tensor G2 RAM: 8GB Storage: 128GB Battery: 4,385mAh Rear camera: 64MP + 13MP Front camera: 13MP Reasons to buy+ Fantastic photos with the powerful Google camera + Great performance from Google Tensor G2 + Good price Reasons to avoid- Shorter support than Apple and Samsung - Middling battery - Too expensive for the compromises The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are quite pricey and powerful smartphones, and so the Pixel 7a steps in for those who'd prefer a cheaper option. The 7a offers almost everything the Pixel 7 does – but it's cheaper at $499. The Pixel 7a has a pleasant-looking display, the camera is amazing (at 64MP, it has the highest megapixel count of any Pixel phone), and its a really compact phone, too, at a comfortable 6.1-inches. Certainly, there are flaws. We've found that the Pixel 7 doesn't have all-day battery life and is supported for fewer years than Samsung or Apple options. However, slick Android software and Google's thoughtful AI features have an audience, and the Pixel 7a is one of the nicest and most inexpensive ways you can get onboard. Read our full Google Pixel 7a review The best phone under $300(Image credit: Future) The best phone under $300 SpecificationsRelease date: March 2022 Weight: 195g Dimensions: 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8mm OS: Android 12 Screen size: 6.6-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400 CPU: Exynos 850 RAM: 3GB (US)/4GB (UK/AU) Storage: 32GB (US)/64GB (UK)/128GB (AU) Battery: 5,000mAh Rear camera: 50MP (wide) + 5MP (ultrawide - UK/AU-only) + 2MP (macro) + 2MP (depth) Front camera: 8MP Reasons to buy+ 5x camera zoom crushes it + New useful S Pen features Reasons to avoid- ‘Ultra’ expensive - Slower charging If you're looking for a capable smartphone that won't break the bank, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy A13. Put simply, it's 'good enough' in most of the areas that matter for a smartphone (from the camera to the battery life), and its super-low price (which will continue to drop) makes it a tempting value-for-money deal. On the design front, the Galaxy A13 feels like a phone that's going to last, and it offers a 6.6-inch, 2408 x 1080 LCD screen that does a decent job with websites, photos, videos and games. It's suitably bright, vivid and crisp, and while there's no support for HDR or anything above a 60Hz refresh rate, we didn't have any real complaints in this regard. There's no doubt that spending a bit more money is going to get you a phone camera that captures significantly better pictures, but at the same time, the Samsung Galaxy A13 isn't going to let you down if your expectations aren't sky-high. Similarly, when it comes to performance, you'll be able to run everything you want to run, but you're going to have to put up with slower speeds than you'd get from a more expensive handset. Regarding battery life, we tested the Galaxy A13 with an hour of video streaming at a low volume, and with the screen set to maximum brightness – that knocked the battery level down by 10%, suggesting around 10 hours of playback in total. Dim the screen and you'd be able to stretch that out further, so you'd be okay for watching films on long-distance trips. Ultimately, then, if you want value for money and you want Samsung, then the Galaxy A13 is definitley worth considering. Mind you, there are plenty of competing phones (like the Moto G53 5G and Nokia G42 5G) even at this low price point. Read our full Samsung Galaxy A13 review The best cheap camera phone(Image credit: Future) The best cheap camera phone SpecificationsWeight: 204g Dimensions: 163 x 75.4 x 8.8mm OS: Android 12 Screen size: 6.7-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2412 CPU: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 RAM: 8GB / 12GB / 16GB Storage: 128GB / 256GB Battery: 4,800mAh Rear camera: 50MP + + 8MP + 2MP Front camera: 16MP Reasons to buy+ Lots of processing power + Fast to charge + Good cameras for the price Reasons to avoid- Poor battery life - Awkward to hold If you're after a speedy phone with capable cameras that doesn't demand a premium price tag, then the OnePlus 10T – a worthy mid-range Android phone – could be for you. This phone had an unduly high starting price at launch, but in 2023, it's become a much more affordable proposition. The OnePlus 10T has a good-looking screen, a powerful chipset and fast charging, and on the back, you're getting a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor. We’ve previously heaped praise on this sensor, as it’s good for low-light photography, and you get an 8MP ultra-wide lens and 2MP macro sensor on the the OnePlus 10T, too. The lack of zoom is disappointing – with no telephoto lens, you’re relying on digital zoom when you close the distance, which caps out at a measly 10x. However, at such a low price in 2023, the OnePlus 10T can be considered one of the best affordable camera phones. Read our full OnePlus 10T review The best display on a budget(Image credit: Future) The best display on a budget SpecificationsWeight: 173g Dimensions: 159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm OS: Android 11 Screen size: 6.43-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400 CPU: Snapdragon 695 RAM: 6GB Storage: 128GB, expandable up to 512GB Battery: 4,500mAh Rear camera: 64MP + 2MP + 2MP Front camera: 16MP Reasons to buy+ Stellar processing performance + OLED display worthy of a $600+ phone Reasons to avoid- Cameras are only average - The vibration motor is weak Once in a while, you come across a smartphone that punches above its weight. For those who are looking for something that's less than $300, that phone is the OnePlus Nord N20, which we found to be an easy recommendation for budget-minded consumers looking for a cheap Android phone. Our tests show that this offering from OnePlus delivers a slick performance, which is admirable considering the price. But, it also comes with an OLED display that we found to be bright and punchy – and even worthy of a $600 phone. It also improves readability. And, it single-handedly makes up for the fact that the camera system is really nothing to write home about. The OnePlus Nord N20 is a solid performer for playing games, consuming media, and, of course, making calls. In fact, you'll barely notice that you're using a mid-range phone. And, if you're happy to compromise on the camera features, you'll love it for your daily needs. Read our full OnePlus Nord N20 5G review The best cheap phone for durability(Image credit: Future) The best cheap phone for durability SpecificationsWeight: 248g Dimensions: 171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6mm OS: Android 11 Screen size: 6.67-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400 CPU: Snapdragon 480 5G RAM: 4GB / 6GB Storage: 64GB / 128GB Battery: 4,630mAh Rear camera: 48MP + + 13MP Front camera: 8MP Reasons to buy+ Extremely durable + Free one-year screen replacement + Excellent software and security longevity Reasons to avoid- Can’t customize Google Assistant button - Can’t run two SIM cards and a microSD card at the same time The Nokia XR20 is the first rugged smartphone to launch under the Nokia banner with the help of HMD Global, which now owns the brand. Unlike other that stand out due to their designs, the Nokia XR20 is meant to blend in with its slim profile and sleek look. In terms of durability, the XR20 is IP68 certified, MIL-STD-810 rated, and is the first rugged smartphone to feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The device also features a red emergency button along with a dedicated, non-customizable Google Assistant button. However, what really sets the XR20 apart from the pack is the fact that HMD Global has guaranteed that the device will receive four years of security updates with three years of OS updates. The company also includes free one-year screen replacement. Put simply, if you want a reasonably-priced phone that can take a beating and will continue to be supported for years to come, the XR20 is for you. Read our full Nokia XR20 5G review FAQsWhat is the best cheap phone?The best cheap phone for you will depend on what you do and don't value in a smartphone. If you're already embedded in Apple's ecosystem, then the iPhone 13 remains a top choice. If you prefer a Samsung, then the Samsung Galaxy A54 could be for you. Alternatively, the Google Pixel 7a offers an affordable way into the Google ecosystem. If you simply want a capable phone that costs less than $300, then the Samsung Galaxy A13 is our top pick in 2023. How to choose the best cheap phoneChoosing the best cheap smartphone for you is deciding which aspects are most important to you and what you can live without. Even the best cheap phones don't have it all, since that low price means there are almost always weaker elements. The first step is to figure out your needs when it comes to display, cameras, battery life, and features. When it comes to the screen, for example, you want to decide on the size. A smaller screen makes it easier to use with one hand and easier to fit in small pockets while a bigger screen can make apps, games, and videos more pleasant to watch and interact with. Cheaper phones typically have less advanced cameras or just the one rear and one front camera setup. But, if having a powerful lens is important to you, there are a handful of budget smartphones with excellent cameras. Whatever the case, once you've decided what features you do and don't need, it'll be easier for you to choose between our pick of the best cheap phones. How we testSince cheaper phones are typically less powerful and less feature-rich than flagships, we set our test metrics and expectations lower than when we test the pricey models. Our testing process involves using the phone as our main handset for days or even weeks, and testing all the key factors, from the power to the battery life, the cameras, the screen, and beyond. That means we know exactly how each of these models performs in reality, not just on paper, and we use that knowledge to rank them, while factoring in their all-important price and overall value.
Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team. Axel is a London-based Senior Staff Writer at TechRadar, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest movies as part of the site's daily news output. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion. Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme. |
